Tampon



w. M." KNIGHT TAMPoN' 7 June 16, 1942.

Filed Jan, 4, 1940 [NVENTOEY VWLL AMM/KV/GHT AB ai M Q/ ArroEA/E Y5" Patented June "16, 1942 V 7 UNITED STATES PATENT fo FicE TAMPON I William M. Knight, Minneapolis, Minn.,.assignor to ,The Personal Products Corporation, Milltown, N. J., a New'Jersey corporation Application January 4-, 1940, Serial No. 312,379

8 Claims." (01. 128-285) I This invention relates to new and useful imtransversely to the axis of the tampon, thereby provements in tampons for the absorption of greatly increasing the fluid absorptive ability. of fluids given off by the body, and more particularly the tampon, and the long fibers of the mat which to catamenial tampons adapted for internal apis concealed within the tampon further increasing plication to absorb and collect fluids discharged the fluid absorbent capacity of the tampon, in during menses, and to methods of making cataaddition to providing a support for the cross fibers menial tampons. and adequate tensile strength in the tampon to Catamenial tampons'must desirably be capable insure complete removal of the tampon, when of absorbing and holding large quantities of fluids withdrawn by manipulation of the usual cord, so that the time intervals between changes, when 10 which is attached to the concealed longitudinally using catamenial tampons, is not materially extending fibers of the inner'mat of the tampon. greater than the time interval between changes, A further object of the invention is to provide when using ordinary sanitary napkins. Tampons a tampon of fibrous material which is suificiently are usually worn internally, and for satisfactory dense and hard, when dry, as before use, to faciliuse it is therefore, essential that they be relatate packaging and sterilization, and also to facilitively small and compact in size so as to facilitate tate handling such as may occur when the taminsertion. At the same time, the tampon struc- Don is c rried 'in a pocket or l i h n turemust be comfortable to the user, both during and lastly, to facilitate insertion of the tampon insertion and while in use, and must not assume into the vagina, an uncomfortable configuration during use, and A further objectis to provide a tampon of the must be non-irritating, It is also exceedingly decharacter described, which is relatively small and sirable that the'configuration of the tampon after compact, when dry, but which is capable of excomplete fiuid absorption, is such that it will repension in, size i ri l w n W d rs btain its position in the vaginal canal without dis- J'eeted t0 v b y fl 80 as to ate re encomfort until removed therefrom. tion of the tampon in the vagina, even though the An object of the present invention therefore, is wearer stands, walks, dances, or otherwise exerto provide a catamenial tampon, in which all of cises. r the objectionable features now prevalent incom- Other objects of the invention are to provide a mercial tampons have been eliminated, and tampon which is capable of expanding progresi which embodies all of the desirable features hereso siv y f m p to bottom, and which is capable of inbefore enumerated, and which is so constructed b or in and re i n r ve y large q nthat the costs of manufacture will be exceedingly tities of fluid over an extended period, without small. danger of the tampon accidentally becoming dis- A further object of the invention is to provide lodged from the v in which is so constructed a catamenial tampon made of a suitable fibrous t there is danger of fl id fi W 0 1' e k e material, such as cotton, which is so arranged through the tampon, even though Changing of the that substantially the entire exterior surface of tampon m y be y n which is pr vi the tampon is composed of cross fibers, or, in with a cord or string f9 t a a1 0f the other words, of fibers disposed transversely to the tampo from its P e, nd or withdrawal an axis of the tampon, whereby the absorption 40 handling of the tampon after use, which cord i ability of the tampon is greatly increased. firmly attached to the mats of fibrous materi l A further object is to provide a tampon'comconstituting the I tamp S 00rd p oj eti posed of two matsof fibrous material, thefibers f m n e the tampon w y it nn t of one of said mats being disposed in adirection cause any irr t io When h tampon is in lengthwise of the mat, and the fibers of the other and n the novel method of forming the t mpon, mat being disposed crosswise thereof, and said of two mats of fibrous material or cotton, placed mats being placed together in fiatwise relation to i fiatw relation, d e fibers of one to provide an elongated body, said body being mat running lengthwise thereof and the fibers of folded transversely to bring the opposite ends Other mat b in transverse to e e th of thereof into juxtaposition, after which said foldt tampon and forming the exterior o ed body is compressed into an elongated-bylin Other objects of the invention will ,appear drical body in such a manner that the long fiber from the following description a p y- .mat will be disposed within the cross fiber mat, ing drawing and will be pointed out in the an- Whereby substantially the entire exterior surface ,-nexed claims. of the tamponwill be composed of fibers disposed In the accompanying drawing there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the v various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

Inthe drawing:

Figure l is a view showing the two mats placed together in fiatwise relation with the cord coiled thereabout;

Figure 2 15 a view showing the cord partially tightened;

Figure 3 is a view showing the elongated body formed by the two mats partially folded-upon itself;

Figure 4 is a view showing the folded body being drawn into a forming die;

Figure 5 is a plan view of Figure 4;

Figured is a vertical sectional view on the line 86 of Figure '7, showing a partially completed tampon being forced through the forming die; Figure 7 is a sectional plan view on the line 1-1 of Figure 6; Y

Figure 8 is a view showing the completed tampon with the cord attached to'one end thereof; and

Figur 9 is a cross-sectional view on the line 8-4 Figure 8, showing stantially concealed/by the cross fibers.

I theformation of dis losed, two mats of fibrous material, desig-' nated the numerals 2 and 8, are placed together in fiatwise relation, as shown in Figure l. The mat 2 is composed of long-fibers running longitudinally thereof! whereas the mat 3 has its fibers running crosswise to its length. By this arrangement, it will be noted that the fibers of the two mats are arranged in'substantially righ angular relation, when the two mats are placed together to form the body, generally indicated by the numeral 4.

A cord I is then coiled aboutthe body 4, as shownin Figure 1,.and when drawn tightly about said body, partially folds the-mats along a longitudinal axis, whereby the cross fibers of the mat 3 partially encircle thelong fibers of the mat/2 at the intermediate portion of the body 4, .as Willtzlft be noted by reference to Figure 2. The body 4 is then folded upon itself to bring the end p0rtions of the mat 3 into,contiguous relation, and

the opposite ends of the body 4into iuxtap tion, as best shown in Figure 4. To compress the cylindrical bore provided in a suitable forming die, generally designated bythe numeral '5. The diameter of the bore 6 determines the diameter of the finished tampon 1, shown in Figure 8.

A feature of the invention resides in the novel construction of the forming die, whereby when the folded mats or body 4 is drawn Or forced through the bore 6 thereof, the long fibers of the mat 2 are brought to the inside and are substantially completely surrounded by the short fibers of the mat 3. To thus cause the short cross fibers 'of the mat 3 to be brought to the outside of the tampon, oppositely disposed blades 8 are suitably fixed in slots 9 provided in the body of the die 5. The inwardly facing edges of the blades "8 are preferably curved, as best shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6, and project into the bore 6, with their adjacent points spaced apart to receive the intermediate portion of the folded body 4. The blades 8 cooperate to compress the folded body 4 along its longitudinal centerline, as

the lon fibers sub- I the novel tampon herein,

folded mats into a :cylindrical body, the folded mats areforcedthrough a best shown in Figure 5, whereby oppositely dis-- posed end portions of the folded body 4 are folded along their longitudinal axes. As the body 4 is pulled 'or forced downwardly into the bore G between-the adjacent edges of the blades 8,

the long fibers of the mat 2 become firmly folded against opposite sides of the blades 8, and as the folded, body 4 continues its downward movement in, the bore 8, the short cross fibers of the 10 mat. 3 substantially completely surround the long fibers of the mat 2, whereby when the tampon is completed, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the

' exterior cylindrical surface thereof will be constituted substantially entirely of short, cross fibers, disposed substantially at right angles to the body of the cylindrical tampon I, as shown in Figure 8. V

In forcing the folded body 4 through the forming die, it may initially be pulled into the bore 8 by manipulation of the cord l, until it reaches substantially the position shown in Figure 4,

after which it maybe forced through the bore 4 by a suitable plunger H, shown having a con-' caved lower end l2 adapted to engage the upper end of the folded body 4 and force it through the bore 6, whereby the two mats are compressed intoa cylindrical body ;-to form the completed tampon l. The plunger II. has oppositely disposed slots 13 for receiving the blades 8, when the plunger enters the bore 6 of the forming die 5.

In actual practice it has been found that the novel. tampon herein disclosed may be expeditiously formed in the manner above described. The mats 2 and 3 may be cut to suitable size by suitable dies and are placed together infiatwlse relation, as shown in Figure '1, in the initial operation of forming the tampon. In the next step, the cord I is attached to the body 4, after which the body is passed through the bore 6 of 40 the forming die I, as hereinbefore stated, to

I complete the formation 'of the tampon.

' The method offorming this tampon is very simple and inexpensive and makes it possible to manufacture the tampons in quantity production at exceedingly low cost.

7 One of the outstanding features of the invention, as previously stated, resides in the unique manner-of folding the mats 2 and 3 from the position shown in Figure 1, whereby when the tam n.-.-pon,has been completed, as shown in Figures 8" and 9, the long fibers of the mat 2 will be confined within the cross fibers of the mat 3. The long fiber mat.2 thus provides a foundation or support for the cross fibers of the that ,3, and assures complete removal of the entire tampon, when withdrawnflby manipulation of the cord I. The construction of the tampon, whereby the exterior surface thereof is composed substantially entirely of cross fibers, is of utmost importance, because it greatly increases the absorptive ability of the tampon and eliminates all danger of fluid flowing 0r leaking around the tampon, when in place, regardless of the position or activity of the wearer. Also, because of the exterior of the tampon being composed almost entirely of' cross fibers, the tampon will readily and quickly expand, when subjected to the body fluids, thereby to completely fill the cavity and prevent leakage of the fiuid around the tampon.

The inner mat 2, being composed of long fibers extending lengthwise of the tampon, in addition to providing a support for the cross fibers of the mat 3, also provides a substantial anchor for the cord l, as will be noted by reference to Figures 3 and 4, whereby the cord cannot become detached and conveniently be handled before from the tampon, upon removal of the tampon from the vagina.

From actual experience, it has been found that cotton providesa very desirable material for constructing the tampon. It is to be understood, however, that the inner or supporting mat 2 of the tampon may be constructed of other'fibrous material applicable-for-the purpose. For'example, bandaging gauze has been found to provide a suitable substitute for the long fiber cotton mat 2, as it provides adequate tensile strength for supporting the cross fibers of the mat 2, and also readily expands, when subjected to moisture.

, The completed tampon 1,- when ejected from the forming die, is very compact and has a relatively hard exterior surface, to facilitate sterilizing and packaging, and whereby it may readily application. I claim as my invention: l. A method ofmaking-a tampon which com,-

prises placing together two fibrous mats to form an elongated body, one of said mats being composed of fibers extending lengthwise thereof and the other of fibers extending crosswise thereof,

L whereby said body is composed of fibers arranged in crosswise relation, folding said bedy at a point intermediate its ends tobring the crosswise fibers into contiguous relation, and then compressing said folded body into a cylindrical shape wherebythe crosswise fibers are brought'to the outside of said cylindrical body and substantially conceal the lengthwise fibers.'

2. A method of making a tampon which comprises placing together two "fibrous mats to form an elongated body, one of said mats being composed o f'fibers extending lengthwise thereof and the other of fibers'extending crosswise thereof,

whereby said body is composed of fibers arranged in crosswise relation, folding .said body at a'point intermediate its ends to bring the crosswise fibers into contiguous relation, and then passing said folded body through a suitable forming die whereby the overlapped endportions of the folded mats constituting said body, are folded longitudinally in opposite directions, simultaneously as said body is compressed into substantially a cylindrical shape, whereby the crosswise fibers are brought to the outside of the completed tampon body and the lengthwise fibers concealed within the crosswise fibers.

3.-A method of making a tampon which comprises placing together two fibrous mats to form an elongated body, one of said mats'being com-.

posed of fibers extending lengthwisethereof and the other df fibers extending crosswise thereof, coiling a cord about the intermediate portion of said i ody and folding the body transversely at the cord to bring the ends of the body into juxta-' position and whereby the crosswise fibers are brought into contiguous relation, indenting opposite sides of said folded body tudinal' edges thereof tQ'fUld outwardly, and subsequently passing said" body through a suitable forming die, whereby-the'fibersof the crosswise "fiber mat are brought to the outside of the partially completed tampon and substantially'conceal the fibers of the lengthwise fiber mat, said cord extending from one end of the finished tampon. p v

4. A method of making a relatively stiff tampon which is capable of maintaining its configuration when dry, which comprises. placing together two cotton mats to form-an elongated body, one of said mats being composed of .fibers extending lengthwise thereof and the other of fibers eX- wise thereof, a second mil;

tending crosswise thereof, coiling a cord about the intermediate portion of said body and folding the body transversely at the cord to bring ing opposite sides. of said folded body longitudinally thereof, whereby the fibers of the crosswise "fiber mat are brought to the outside of the partially completed tampon, and the fibers or the lengthwise fiber mat become substantially con-- cealed within the fibers of the cross fiber mat, said cord extending from one end of the finished tampon.

5. A tampon comprising an elongated mat of fibrous material having its fibers running length" wise thereof, a second mat of fibrous material having its fibers running crosswise with respect to its length, said mats being placed together in fiatwise relation whereby the fibers of one mat will be disposed at right angles to the fibers of the other mat, said mats being folded about a transverse line intermediate their ends and being compressed into a self-sustaining cylindrical will'be disposed at right angles to the fibers of the other mat, said mats being folded transversely to bring their ends into juxtaposition, said molded mats being compressed into a self-sustaining cylindrical body, the exterior of which is composed substantially entirelyof cross fibers, and a cord having one end secured to said body.

7. A tampon comprising an'elongated mat of fibrous material having its fibers running lengthof [similar size and of like materialhavingits bers running crosswise with respect to its length, said mats being placed together in fiatwise relation to provide an elongated bodyhavin'g the fibers of one half its thickness running lengthwise of the body and the fibers of the other half running crosswise thereof, a cord coiled transversely about the intermediate portion of said body, said body being folded upon itself at the cord in a direction to cause the end portions of the cross fiber mat to be disposed in contiguous relation, and whereby the end portions of the lengthwise fiber mat will be disposed at the outside of said folded body, and the end portions of said folded body beingfolded along longitudinal lines parallel to the axis of said body and in proximity thereto, whereby when said folded mats are compressed into an elongated 6 cylindrical body, the fibers. of the crosswise fiber to cause the longimat will be brought to the surface and will constitute substantially the entire outer surface of the tampon, thereby rendering the tampon more absorbent.

8. A tampon of substantially cylindrical form comprising a -U-shaped Web of fibrous material by a fibrous web the legs of such web and the fibers therein being disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tampon, said legs being surrounded the fibers of which are generally positioned-in planes which are disposed generally normal tothewaxis of'the tampon.

WILLIAM M. KNIGHT. 

